Non smoking laws Dictatorship??

[banditpowdercoat]

Well, I'll start by saying I do not smoke...Anymore. I quit 5 years ago, and best thing I have done. BUT, the Can Govt has passed Legislation that as of May 1, there is NO Smoking in any business, or within 10 Ft of a window or doorway to said businesses. Also, its illegal to smoke in cars when there is children in the car(that I kinda agree with)

BUT, heres the kicker, where I work, a Sawmill, there is a set up smoking room. No combustibles, lots of ventalation, in plain view inside the mill. Workers can keep an eye on the mill, and Foreman can keep an eye on the workers when they smoking. But, now, the smokers have to go outside, where they can have 2 walls and a roof, or 4 walls, NO roof, or worse yet, they will go into th dark, dusty corners and hide to have a smoke. this increasing the chances of a Fire. Makes perfect sence Huh?!!? Take away a perfectly good smoking room, Take away a persons CHOICE, and force them to smoke outside. resurants, Bars, which all had separate ventilated smoking rooms set up for the past 5+ years, now NO SMOKING.

Now, I know smoking is bad, but this blanket "you cant do that now" law is BS. Really Dictatorship if you ask me. We no longer have a choice. I really don't play by the rules well, especially when I don't have a choice. Kinda makes me want to start smoking again, just to break the rules

So much for Democracy RIP

[hillbillyreefer]

Hush Comrade, or I will report you to the Party.

[Aquattro]

Well ,we've had those laws in place in Victoria forever, and nobody has died from them yet. Also, I think the democratic process is a choice of the majority, which in this case are non smokers, hence, democracy working as designed. We also have laws that dictate that you can't drink in a public place, nobody arguing about that. We also have a new one about urinating in public...just awful that we can't choose where to pee, isn't it?

[banditpowdercoat]

WHAT?? Can't drink in a public place?? No Peeing either?? Aww man........LOL Guess theres a reason why I don't like city's. Even in the country, we get your city rules forced on us, weather they apply or not. Thats what I think is wrong. The "because we say so" attitude. Its like were all kids or something

[Aquattro]

No Peeing either?? Aww man

nope. I come out of the bar at 3am, and just gotta go, and make the personal decision that I want to pee on the sidewalk, the cops are gonna give me a ticket and fine. Now that's BS.

[BMW Rider]

I can support the ban for restaraunts and bars. The reasoning is that the people who have to work in there are subjected to the smoke and are not freely able to choose not to go in as are the patrons. In a situation like the mill, there could be some leeway as long as those who do not smoke have their own space and are never required to enter the smoking area. Unfortuanetly that would lead to seriously complicated regulations, so the easy solution to impose and to enforce is the total ban. I will say, I do appreciate the requirement for no smoking within a reasonable distance of an entryway. I hate having to run the gauntlet of puffers out front of a pub or business.

[Chin_Lee]

nope. I come out of the bar at 3am, and just gotta go, and make the personal decision that I want to pee on the sidewalk, the cops are gonna give me a ticket and fine. Now that's BS.

Maybe they will give you the option to wipe it up with your jacket or get a ticket ....... not that I would offer such a thing......

[Aquattro]

not that I would offer such a thing......

Brad stayin' out of Richmond! Not that I really pee on sidewalks, I'm too shy for that. But if I wanted to, now that's the issue. Dictators, all of them!! :)

[banditpowdercoat]

Ahh, I love the country. "Ohh look, there's a bush, I wana pee on it" LOL

Sometimes I think Democracy is a polite word for Do as I say HAHAHA

[Aquattro]

Sometimes I think Democracy is a polite word for Do as I say HAHAHA

Actually, I think it's more of "do what WE say", WE being the majority that elected the rule makers.
But on the issue at hand, I love being able to go into Starbucks and not have to hold my breath. These laws have been in place here for so long I can't remember when the last time there was a smoking section in a public place.

[Aquattro]

Ahh, I love the country. "Ohh look, there's a bush, I wana pee on it" LOL



Oh, and here in the city, we have toilets :)

[banditpowdercoat]

Oh, and here in the city, we have toilets :)

Interesting concept LOL:mrgreen:

[workn2hard2day]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquattro
Oh, and here in the city, we have toilets

Interesting concept LOL




and they are the "pop up" kind too! Just made for those 3am gotta go moments.

[Joe Reefer]

Wouldn't it just be easier to stop selling smokes period?

[Parker]

Wouldn't it just be easier to stop selling smokes period?

SSSHHHHHH then non smokers would have to start paying more taxes, and I can't afford to pay more for my beer!

[Swags]

Wouldn't it just be easier to stop selling smokes period?

The gov will just add the lost sin tax to our booze!

[pandafishowner]

What about the choices of the non-smokers that, until the bans were made, had no choice but to be subjected to that smoke? What about the children that needlessly were subjected to cigarette smoke because they don't have the rights to say they don't like it?

As a non-smoker, a mom, and one severely allergic to smoke, I'd be pleased as punch if people actually followed the no smoking bans that have been put into place. It's disgusting even walking into the Co-Op store on 17th Ave SE because staff and customers stand right at the doors smoking, standing right in front of the signs saying "NO Smoking Within 5 Metres". Or standing at the bus stop with my kids, while some a-hole smokes a cigarette and blows the smoke in my kids faces.

It wasn't the government that put these bans into place, it was US, the voters. I for one, am damn glad for them and will be even happier when enforcement happens.

[Lance]

The issue that a lot of bars have is the indecisive regulations of the Gov. 2 years ago they decided bars could have a smoking room if they so decided, as long as it met the strict guidelines WCB put forth. I.E. so many sq. ft. per size of bar, doorway of such and such a size, ventilation system of adequate size, no staff required to enter smoking room, etc. Many bars spent a great deal of money on these rooms. (we spent over $10G on ours). Now 2 years later, they decide these rooms are not good enough and can't be used anymore. Make up your mind people!

[Der_Iron_Chef]

I like the new(er) laws.

[Slick Fork]

As an ex-smoker I appreciate the non-smoking indoors laws, however... when they start banning smoking outdoors it drives me a little nuts. You're not even allowed to smoke on an outdoor patio anymore, around here there's a talk of a law being tabled that would outlaw smoking in public outdoor areas such as parks, sidewalks etc. Once outside, children are much more in danger of the exhaust fumes from car and truck traffic than they are from the poor lonely smoker sitting on a bench still clinging on to his/her habit yet no one is talking about banning vehicles around playgrounds. I don't like rap music, does this mean that if I find enough people who also don't like it we can vote and ban it? It gets to be a slippery slope when the government starts telling you what you can and can't do on a regular basis. It may start with cigarettes, but we all know that obesity is the new smoking so we'll have "fat cops" running around fining you for eating potato chips in public, or daring to order gravy with those fries... don't say you haven't been warned

[Myka]

Well ,we've had those laws in place in Victoria forever, and nobody has died from them yet. Also, I think the democratic process is a choice of the majority, which in this case are non smokers, hence, democracy working as designed. We also have laws that dictate that you can't drink in a public place, nobody arguing about that. We also have a new one about urinating in public...just awful that we can't choose where to pee, isn't it?

Amen. Although the urinating one has been around as long as I remember (in BC anyway).

[mark]

I have no problem with the restrictions on where you can smoke, but still think it's totally hilarious the Gov't will ban my Nalgene bottle because of BPA since it's better to err on the side of caution but go ahead and smoke just don't do it over there.

[CLINT]

Well slick if you think at all that smoking is justified your WRONG.I think a smoker should have to hide and keep there problems to themselves.I smoked for 11 years and am happy I found a way to quit in the form of 2 great kids.They dont need to die for someone to make money.Cigarettes are of no benifit to anyone but the guy who sells them.I watched most of my family die from cancer and dont think they enjoyed there last few days.I can only say that the pain they felt only made them wish they were DEAD.I can only hope that I dont have problems from my wrong choices and the the people who enjoy smoking can die FAST so that it doesnt hurt so much watching them die slowly.I hope they make cigarettes illegal so they save some lives because its not fair sending lambs to a SLAUGHTER.Clint

[Pan]

Take up chewing tobacco and spit on the office floor...get a little jaron your desk spit it to it...maybe then they will let you smoke. I think they should let people smoke within ten feet, nothing more hilarious then people to weak willed to quit smoking huddling outside in minus 40 weather.

[Slick Fork]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating smoking. I smoked for 10 or 11 years as well, and will be celebrating my 2nd smoke free anniversary in about 2 weeks here. I couldn't be happier to be rid of those things and find the smell of them quite offensive nowadays.

I'm in complete agreement with the workplace, restauraunt, all around indoor bans on smoking as it subjects lots of people to second-hand smoke who can't get away from it. My point was that once you get out of the confined spaces of an indoor environment second hand smoke becomes a lesser issue when compared to other inhalants such as smog, vehicle exhaust, pesticide application, etc. You pretty much have to be sitting directly in front of someone exhaling cigarette smoke for it to be a genuine health concern.

Yes it smells bad, yes most people find it offensive but is outdoor smoking a genuine health concern to Non-Smokers? If the answer is no, then the government is legislating out of a desire to play to peoples emotions rather then to make an actual difference. I don't try to push a ban on loud rap music, or really loud motorcycles because while I find them both in poor taste I realize that it's my taste and it really doesn't hurt me to tolerate them. Likewise, I don't expect people to curtail my listening to George Strait or complaining that my horses poop too much even if I ride them through the drive through!! I think that OUTDOOR smoking falls into this gray area and legislating annoyances is a bad road to start going down.

For the record, I think the ban on public drinking is crap as well. Public intoxication yes, drinking no.

[EmilyB]

ahhh, one word....champix

Myself and three family members quit...

[Pan]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating smoking. I smoked for 10 or 11 years as well, and will be celebrating my 2nd smoke free anniversary in about 2 weeks here. I couldn't be happier to be rid of those things and find the smell of them quite offensive nowadays.

I'm in complete agreement with the workplace, restauraunt, all around indoor bans on smoking as it subjects lots of people to second-hand smoke who can't get away from it. My point was that once you get out of the confined spaces of an indoor environment second hand smoke becomes a lesser issue when compared to other inhalants such as smog, vehicle exhaust, pesticide application, etc. You pretty much have to be sitting directly in front of someone exhaling cigarette smoke for it to be a genuine health concern.

Yes it smells bad, yes most people find it offensive but is outdoor smoking a genuine health concern to Non-Smokers? If the answer is no, then the government is legislating out of a desire to play to peoples emotions rather then to make an actual difference. I don't try to push a ban on loud rap music, or really loud motorcycles because while I find them both in poor taste I realize that it's my taste and it really doesn't hurt me to tolerate them. Likewise, I don't expect people to curtail my listening to George Strait or complaining that my horses poop too much even if I ride them through the drive through!! I think that OUTDOOR smoking falls into this gray area and legislating annoyances is a bad road to start going down.

For the record, I think the ban on public drinking is crap as well. Public intoxication yes, drinking no.
I find george strait makes my horse poop too. :)

[Snappy]

ahhh, one word....champix

Myself and three family members quit...
Deb Congratulations, it's tough the first year but after that it's all good. You will feel better and SMELL WAY BETTER. I quit in 1986 but now I am very sensitive to smoke and even being around someone who recently had one gives me a headache, stuffy nose and often sinus infections. I had an accident in the early 90's that made me hyper-sensitive to many chemicals and smoke is a really bad one for me. I love the new anti-smoking laws, it's about time. I don't like having to hold my breath as I go in & out of a doorway because people are smoking right there.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

ahhh, one word....champix

Myself and three family members quit...

I just quit cold turkey! I didn't know about this Champix.

[Slick Fork]

I've got a buddy on Champix right now, he's not smoking anymore but says the dreams the drug gives him are pretty far out there, I just used the patch

[Psyire]

No Smoking laws are awesome. I don't have to put up with that smoke at work or at play now. It's great!

[Beverly]

For the record, I think the ban on public drinking is crap as well. Public intoxication yes, drinking no.

ROTFLMAO! When was the last time you drank, either in private or public, and didn't get intoxicated? Duh!?! Drinking ALWAYS results in intoxication to some degree :lol: Geez, that's basic Drinking 101 :razz:

As a smoker, I totally agree with banning smoking every place it can be banned. Tax the living crap out of the stuff, too! The more uncomfortable a smoker is, the more likely they're going to think about quitting. Well, I mean, the smokers who whine and complain about everything will probably whine and complain some more. But, overall, ANYTHING to help a smoker quit is welcome in my view. Smoking is a one-way ticket to an early and painful grave, IMO.

It may start with cigarettes, but we all know that obesity is the new smoking so we'll have "fat cops" running around fining you for eating potato chips in public, or daring to order gravy with those fries... don't say you haven't been warned

A huge problem for obese people is Type II diabetes. You might not know much about this horrible disease, but it maims and kills. 30% of people with diabetes don't even know they have it, which makes it even more deadly.

I think ANYTHING government can do to help people stay healthy is good for EVERONE in the long run. Staying healthy helps the individual; it helps family members so they don't have to watch a brother, mother, child become sick and slowly (or quickly) die an agonizing death; and it helps our health care, and ultimately our tax, systems by not having to treat illnesses that could very well be prevented.

Step off the ME, ME, ME! thing and think a little more the broader implications of governments trying to help people help themselves. All things being equal, your taxes may even go down :wink:

[Slick Fork]

Ok, if we want to encourage people to quit smoking and "help them help themselves" then here's a real easy solution, take the taxes made from cigarettes and subsidize quit smoking programs. Raise the price of a pack of smokes to $15 or $20. Bring in legislation allowing doctors to refuse service to people who won't help themselves, for example make recieving a heart transplant conditional on the patient losing 50lbs and quitting smoking.

I'm not arguing the fact that smoking is a terrible habit and that lung cancer is a horrible horrible way to go. Likewise I'm not suggesting that eating 10 big mac's every day is a good idea. If we really want to stir the pot there was a study done in one of the scandanavian countries that states smokers and unhealthily obese people actually save the system money because they die sooner instead of lingering on in a hospital like most healthy people do.

I'm speaking STRICTLY to the outdoor smoking bans that are being talked about locally. It is an individuals choice to smoke or not smoke, if they're outside and not hurting anyone else I don't think they should be singled out any more then the guy sitting down on the park bench with the happy meal.

"I think ANYTHING government can do to help people stay healthy is good for EVERONE in the long run. Staying healthy helps the individual; it helps family members so they don't have to watch a brother, mother, child become sick and slowly (or quickly) die an agonizing death; and it helps our health care, and ultimately our tax, systems by not having to treat illnesses that could very well be prevented."

You are assuming, that the government is filled with the smartest and brightest people around and has a better idea of what is best for you and I then we do ourselves. At what point should we expect people to take responsibility for their own decisions? Or are we going to become a society where we rely on the government to tell us what to do, eat, think, drink, etc.

[banditpowdercoat]

But the Govt doesnt want you to quit. They like getting your tax money. Plus, then we'd have to subsidize the tobacco companies even more

[Swags]

And please folks, lets not forget that smoking is not a 'habit', its an addiction... a very powerful one at that.

[banditpowdercoat]

Yes, that is true.

[hillbillyreefer]

Why not just get rid of socialized medicine. If fat smokers had to pay their own healthcare costs there would be a huge incentive for them to quit smoking and go for a walk. There is no such thing as personal responsibility left in this country. Whenever something goes wrong everyone says "The government needs to do something." What the government (WE are supposed to be the government) needs to do is quit acting like our nannies, run the legal, and infrastructure system, look after national defense, and go away.

We are in Canada though so the government needs to be all things to all people. I know I can leave if I don't like it.

[Pier Pressure]

So instead of a dictatorship, the 51% majority steps into the place of a single dictator. Not much difference there. People are still trying to run others' lives under the guise of "what is good for your health". People should have the freedom to choose, and businesses should have the freedom to choose.

I mean, lets face it, terrorists probably tell their children to blow themselves up in the interest of "what is good for your health in the next life".

Just keep chipping away at personal freedoms. And then when they find out that something YOU are addicted to or enjoy is "not good for your health" - you can join in on the other side of the coin.

[dsaundry]

I like the "No Smoking" rules, but when is the government going to really tax the crap out of the tobacco industry and the fast food industry. The answer is they won't. It is both industries that are major contributors to the health issues faced by most individuals faced with smoke or weight related issues. Smoking is an addiction, no doubt about it, I think the fast food industry creates food addictions as well. IMO. It is the society we have all created, before it used to be advertising by the tobacco industry stating how cool it was to smoke, then the fast food industry came along and geared their product to the fast paced youth of the day. Try going into any fast food restaurant and look at the people in there...nuff said. Watch the movie "Supersize me". Don't hold your breathe about the government doing anything because it boils down to one thing.. "MONEY" Nothing else, as most of the players are major contributors to all the goverments in one way or another. So until we have politicians in this country who can't be bought or actually are able to fight the system and they would have to have some major sized kahona's to do that, it will probably not change very much. As a famous comedian said, "I don't want to go off on a rant here" but really whether you are or are not a smoker or a fast food junkie we all contribute in one way or another. If there was no market for it, it wouldn't be around plain and simple. So until everybody in the world says NO, it will be here for a long time.... I can make my personal choices of whether I go to a fast food restaurant or a pub that allows smoking. But I can't tell my neighbor to quit smoking or drinking. Whether its for his/her own good or not. So if you smoke, I hope you quit for your own health, if you frequently eat fast food I hope you quit or at least cut back for your own health. Have a great day people.:biggrin:

[Aquattro]

I hate rules. I think the government should p*** off. I have a parking ticket from them on my desk right now. Screw them!! I should be able to park where I choose, when I choose. I didn't elect them to give me tickets. Another thing. Heroin. I want to sell it, but they won't let me. Some stupid rule about selling drugs. Well, I'm only trying to sell to my user friends, and they WANT me to sell it. Why can't I do this?? Stupid 51% dictatorship. I wouldn't have voted for them if I knew I couldn't sell drugs. I'd even meet in the middle and sell coke, but no, same rule applies. I don't get it. They grow pot and sell it, and I can't sell heroin??? WTF? I could sell you a Big Mac, but not smack. Is there a difference?? I think not. That's just me though.
And I don't want to dwell on things, but this peeing on the sidewalk thing, it's kinda got me going. Whyt can't I just whip it out and pee anywhere I want? Ok, the women prolly voted against it, but really, if people don't want to look at it, they can just close their eyes. It has no direct health risks, well, unless they touch it. So?? No, stoopid gov won't let me. It's a law they say. Same with smoking and heroin. More laws. When will all these laws end?? Do we really need them?? I say NO!!! I think I gotta move somewhere I can smoke my heroin anywhere I want and pee on anyone that complains about it. Suggestions anyone?? :)

[Parker]

I think this is being blown a tad out of proportion. Smoking is being banned not because it's hazardous to the smoker’s heath, smoking is being banned because it's bad for the non-smoking publics health. You can't really make comparisons to obesity. I can sit beside you and watch you plow 15 hamburgers into your mouth everyday and it would have zero affect on my health. Unless I can be disgusted to death. Where as If I sat beside you while you smoked a pack a day my heath would be significantly affected.

It's my god given right to fire off a few rounds. Do you want me doing it in the vicinity of your children? Nope, that's why it's illegal inside city limits. ( no I don't own a firearm - just an example )

[banditpowdercoat]

I hate rules. I think the government should p*** off. I have a parking ticket from them on my desk right now. Screw them!! I should be able to park where I choose, when I choose. I didn't elect them to give me tickets. Another thing. Heroin. I want to sell it, but they won't let me. Some stupid rule about selling drugs. Well, I'm only trying to sell to my user friends, and they WANT me to sell it. Why can't I do this?? Stupid 51% dictatorship. I wouldn't have voted for them if I knew I couldn't sell drugs. I'd even meet in the middle and sell coke, but no, same rule applies. I don't get it. They grow pot and sell it, and I can't sell heroin??? WTF? I could sell you a Big Mac, but not smack. Is there a difference?? I think not. That's just me though.
And I don't want to dwell on things, but this peeing on the sidewalk thing, it's kinda got me going. Whyt can't I just whip it out and pee anywhere I want? Ok, the women prolly voted against it, but really, if people don't want to look at it, they can just close their eyes. It has no direct health risks, well, unless they touch it. So?? No, stoopid gov won't let me. It's a law they say. Same with smoking and heroin. More laws. When will all these laws end?? Do we really need them?? I say NO!!! I think I gotta move somewhere I can smoke my heroin anywhere I want and pee on anyone that complains about it. Suggestions anyone?? :)

LMAO, Lets move to CUBA

[Aquattro]

LMAO, Lets move to CUBA


Been there, they have too many laws. I had a soldier point a machine gun at my head. Not so much fun

[Joe Reefer]

Been there, they have too many laws. I had a soldier point a machine gun at my head. Not so much fun

Too bad the Virgle (http://www.google.com/virgle/) project was a hoax.

[pulik]

Hope that eventually smoking will be completely banned in all public places, indoor and out. Indoor, for the health of the non-smokers, and outdoor in view of the litter. Beside the fact that some smokers can knock your socks off with a blast of "fragrance", I used to abhore having to pick up handfulls of cigarette butts before setting up my stall at the Farmers' Markets. And, where I've traveled in Europe recently, the butts along the streets, tram lines, subways, on the railroad, everywhere, is just disgusting! The gravel between the train tracks is literally white with butts. Personally, I'd really rather not see our great outdoors become a nuisance ground filled to the rafters with cigarette butts.
...But, that's just me.....

[Pier Pressure]

Aquattro, I believe there is a safe injection site in Vancouver where you can do exactly what you want! I am hoping you are just joking to make a point, though.

I am not so much against the anti smoking laws as against the government having anything to do with the removal of any personal freedoms.

What is next? If you smoke at home and you have children that smell it, you will be labelled a child abuser, have your children taken away, and be thrown in jail? I know this is an extreme example but the buck has to stop somewhere.

As to the litter associated with smoking, this is only going to get worse because people are smoking outside the bars and leaving butts everywhere.

And I am sick and tired of the pick-up lines and come-ons I have to face when I stop at my local grocery store after work because the parking lot is full of drunken morons from the bar. Being intoxicated in public is supposed to be illegal as well.

[Aquattro]

I am hoping you are just joking to make a point, though.



Um, yes. Although if someone smokes at home with kids in the house, I think someone or some agency should intervene. The choice of the parents to kill their children is probably not the choice the children themselves would make.

[ElGuappo]

I am a smoker adn i do agree with the indoor laws, however the outdoors is questionable. as metioned before there are far worse airborn pollutants right outside the door due due the burning of non renewable resources that even as up to date as this week is killing hundreds of animals right outside your back door. due to the gathering of such fuels. how long can we continue to put of the electric car and such? i dont have any interest in driving one ever. but that doesnt mean i dont think they need to make a serious move in the next decade or so and make some with better power and longer lasitng bateries.

[dsaundry]

Another thing. Heroin. I want to sell it, but they won't let me. Some stupid rule about selling drugs. Well, I'm only trying to sell to my user friends, and they WANT me to sell it. Why can't I do this?? Stupid 51% dictatorship. I wouldn't have voted for them if I knew I couldn't sell drugs. I'd even meet in the middle and sell coke, but no, same rule applies. I don't get it. They grow pot and sell it, and I can't sell heroin??? WTF? I could sell you a Big Mac, but not smack. Is there a difference?? I think not. That's just me though.
And I don't want to dwell on things, but this peeing on the sidewalk thing, it's kinda got me going. Whyt can't I just whip it out and pee anywhere I want? Ok, the women prolly voted against it, but really, if people don't want to look at it, they can just close their eyes. It has no direct health risks, well, unless they touch it. So?? No, stoopid gov won't let me. It's a law they say. Same with smoking and heroin. More laws. When will all these laws end?? Do we really need them?? I say NO!!! I think I gotta move somewhere I can smoke my heroin anywhere I want and pee on anyone that complains about it. Suggestions anyone?? :)

First of all the drugs are illegal and as the song says"God Da-- the Pusher Man" Seeing firsthand what heroin and crack do to a person and how that affects the legal system and the health system I really hope you are joking when you say you want to sell heroin.

[Zoaelite]

I am a smoker adn i do agree with the indoor laws, however the outdoors is questionable. as metioned before there are far worse airborn pollutants right outside the door due due the burning of non renewable resources that even as up to date as this week is killing hundreds of animals right outside your back door. due to the gathering of such fuels. how long can we continue to put of the electric car and such? i dont have any interest in driving one ever. but that doesnt mean i dont think they need to make a serious move in the next decade or so and make some with better power and longer lasitng bateries.

Is this not the "Well if everyone else is doing it then my little bit doesn't matter argument"? I dont think specificly its the biggest health issue I just think its a non smoker weighing out smoker decision. I know I don't personally enjoy walking out of a Walmart to 14 people blowing smoke in my face. You also have to realise that people are allergic to some of the chemicals in smoke so these people smoking infront of Walmart are technicly infringing on their rights?

[dsaundry]

The one interesting thing on this thread is how everybody is blaming the government for this. It is interesting how a lot of people say they should be allowed to do what they want, where they want and the government should stick their nose somewhere else. I am not in the government I just run a small business here in the "Wack". Its not the government who says you can't park in my lot unless you are a customer..it's me...Its not the government who says you can't smoke in my shop... it's me....God help the loser that tries to take a p*ss on my property. Does that make me a dictator?? Nope just protecting whats mine. Do I try to recycle? Yup..do my best..not because the government says to,but it makes sense. You see it's all about perspective. Are there a lot of smart, intelligent people around.. You Betcha...put them in a group and the right situation and they become a mindless mob...Thats a fact folks...So if you want to smoke... smoke, just be a responsible[respectful] smoker, do it in your own home or your car[less your kids], just don't do it in my face. Let me enjoy a meal at a restaurant without the smell of someones smoke wafting at my table.
Ps: The government tell's you to pay tax's too......:lol:

[Lance]

Of course non-smokers don't want smoke blown in their face, or have to walk outside a doorway filled with smoke. The smokers don't particularly want to be out in the wet and cold either. So, give them their area to smoke in. As long as it's not bothering non-smokers, why not give them a room at the office or at the factory, bar, etc. Even the junkies have a place to crank up!

[dsaundry]

Why is it the companies resposibility to pay for a smoking area/room for the smokers? Certainly not for the junkies to shoot up either. As a patron of bars and restaurants who had supposed "smoking areas" I could hardly ever find one where the smoke didn't work its way over to the table I was sitting at. As for the poor smokers who have to go outside in the rain... Oh well.... Lets just say too bad for now. As a child I was subject to my parents smoking, now if I get a smoking related disease do I blame/sue them?? So am I blaming all smokers for all the health issues today... certainly not. It is a major contributor though. Is it a persons right to do what they want, whenever they want...No Freakin Way! Sorry smokers you are a minority now, so unless that changes...Majority rules...in the public workplaces etc. If they can ever prove that smoking is a health benefit well pass a pack of Players my way...until then....Butt Out.:twised:

[Sebae again]

I say smoke on your own time! If people can't drink and get paid for it why should smokers get paid for it? You know what a pain in the ... it is to track down employees when they've got to always go for a smoke not to mention the wasted time.Should a non smoker get paid an extra 2 hours a day more for not taking smoke breaks. Think of the whining that would happen then.

[dsaundry]

Right on......:biggrin::biggrin:

[Lance]

Why is it the companies resposibility to pay for a smoking area/room for the smokers? Certainly not for the junkies to shoot up either. As a patron of bars and restaurants who had supposed "smoking areas" I could hardly ever find one where the smoke didn't work its way over to the table I was sitting at. As for the poor smokers who have to go outside in the rain... Oh well.... Lets just say too bad for now. As a child I was subject to my parents smoking, now if I get a smoking related disease do I blame/sue them?? So am I blaming all smokers for all the health issues today... certainly not. It is a major contributor though. Is it a persons right to do what they want, whenever they want...No Freakin Way! Sorry smokers you are a minority now, so unless that changes...Majority rules...in the public workplaces etc. If they can ever prove that smoking is a health benefit well pass a pack of Players my way...until then....Butt Out.:twised:



I'm not saying companies should be forced to provide a smoking area. I'm saying don't stop a business that does want to provide a smoking area for patrons or employees the right to do so. If my customers want a place to smoke, and I wish to provide it, who's to say I can't. If it's not illegal and not bothering anybody, where's the harm?

[Ephraim]

i am sick and tired of the segregation that is forced upon my people. It is unjust, when i am outside smoking i try to position myself in the highest traffic area so more of the self-righteous sucessful quitters can breathe my cigarette's refreshing aroma. Non-smokers are not the problem, they are great people, the problem is some of these people who have quit that it goes to thier head and they suddenly beleive the belong to an elitest tribe and they know what is best for me. Nuh-uh, smoking may be bad for my health, but i find it to be very beneficial to my mental wellbeing, is that not worth something?

[dsaundry]

Ok so lets say you provide a place for your customers to smoke, now lets say one of your non-smoking customers complains that he can smell smoke and it bothers him...What do you do?? I have yet to see a smoking area in any building where the smoke isn't an issue. Perhaps your business is frequented by more smokers than non-smokers so you tell the non-smoker "sorry its the best I can do" but if your business is frequented by more non-smokers than smokers I guarantee you better make the non-smoker your priority because its them that pays your bills. Again it still boils down to money.....

[dsaundry]

am sick and tired of the segregation that is forced upon my people. It is unjust, when i am outside smoking i try to position myself in the highest traffic area so more of the self-righteous sucessful quitters can breathe my cigarette's refreshing aroma. Non-smokers are not the problem, they are great people, the problem is some of these people who have quit that it goes to thier head and they suddenly beleive the belong to an elitest tribe and they know what is best for me. Nuh-uh, smoking may be bad for my health, but i find it to be very beneficial to my mental wellbeing, is that not worth something?


Hmm, Well I have never smoked and am very allergic to it and for someone to make a statement like that seems a bit silly and uninformed. As for segregation it is my choice to go or not to go to a place knowing that they allow smoking, whether it is a friends house or a family members, however if I go to a nice restaurant and would like to enjoy a nice meal or go to a sports bar and watch a game, as it stands now I don't have to smell smoke from someones cigar or cigarette. So as for positioning yourself in a high traffic area so non-smokers can enjoy the refreshing aroma....because of your mental well-being???? It's a law right now and I am sure nobody is going to shoot someone for lighting up outside, but it is the law and it seems pretty simple. As I have stated before, I don't care if someone wants to smoke, just do it where its allowed....

[Lance]

Ok so lets say you provide a place for your customers to smoke, now lets say one of your non-smoking customers complains that he can smell smoke and it bothers him...What do you do?? I have yet to see a smoking area in any building where the smoke isn't an issue. Perhaps your business is frequented by more smokers than non-smokers so you tell the non-smoker "sorry its the best I can do" but if your business is frequented by more non-smokers than smokers I guarantee you better make the non-smoker your priority because its them that pays your bills. Again it still boils down to money.....



I'm not disagreeing with your statement at all. Of course if I'm losing business due to complaints I'll change things. My business is my livelihood. The point is: It should be MY decision!
2 years ago WCB legislated smoking rooms in bars. So I built one. A large room with excellent ventilation to the roof. Smokers had their own space; non-smokers had theirs. (Employees did not have to enter the room). No complaints. Everyone happy. Now that the smokers are forced outside, the non-smokers are complaining having to walk around them to enter or exit the building. I can't stop people from smoking on the street; it's not my property. So what do I have now? Now I have unhappy smokers and unhappy non-smokers. If the smoking room is set up properly, I see absolutely nothing wrong with providing one.
Anyhow, I've said my piece. I'll leave it at that, and we'll just agree to disagree.

[banditpowdercoat]

i am sick and tired of the segregation that is forced upon my people. It is unjust, when i am outside smoking i try to position myself in the highest traffic area so more of the self-righteous sucessful quitters can breathe my cigarette's refreshing aroma. Non-smokers are not the problem, they are great people, the problem is some of these people who have quit that it goes to thier head and they suddenly beleive the belong to an elitest tribe and they know what is best for me. Nuh-uh, smoking may be bad for my health, but i find it to be very beneficial to my mental wellbeing, is that not worth something?

Um, would you like to rephrase that? I am an EX smoker. and I am rooting FOR the smoker. Not all Ex smokers are the elite snops you portray them to be. I know how hard, no Damn near IMPOSSIBLE it was for me to quit. I amlost lost my Fiance (wife now) because of it.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I worked with a carpenter for several days up at the fish farm in Powell River. He would literally stop everything every 15 minutes to take a 5 minute smoke break. He kept asking me to stop too, but I don't work that way. I like to keep on working instead of stopping 25 percent of the time. He was very fast and efficient when he was working, but seriously, the company was paying him 25 percent too much because of all his smoke breaks. If he missed a smoke break, he would literally take 10 minutes and smoke 2 cigarettes instead.

My father was a 2 pack a day smoker for 30+ years of his life. He quit cold turkey when his doctor showed him X-rays of his lungs & told him "See this, dead 6 months." He quit because he loved us and didn't want to die so young, leaving us to fend for himself.

A week or so later, we had a house party and I asked my uncles politely to not smoke since my dad was trying to quit & it was literally a matter of life or death. My dad's bro, the "doctor", butt-hole that he is, decided that he wasn't going to let some grade 9 kid tell him not to smoke so he pulled out a cigarette, lit it & blew smoke in my face. I then went in my room, found my water pistol, loaded it, went back into the livingroom and with a big smile on my face, shot out his cigarette right in his face. My dad was mad & I paid for it with my sore butt, but guess what?

IT WAS WORTH IT!

That uncle never smoked in our house again. Muahahahahaha.

Anthony

PS. As you can probably guess, I'm one of those RUDE non-smokers (at least to smokers lighting up where they are not supposed to).

[Moogled]

Some laws are created for the wellbeing of the general populace within a community. I'm sure not all of you have taken philosophy of political ethics, but when I look at this from a philosophical perspective, it makes complete sense.

Call it legal paternalism, this smoking law is created under the general fact that smoking is hazardous to your health. Despite the fact that its end is benevolent, its means are also coercive, which is why some of you are totally ****ing fire. You think that as long there is a designated area where non-smokers don't step into, that you you're fine. Or maybe you think that being on personal property is enough of a reason to do whatever you want.

There's no need for a public survey, because any reasonable person would understand that there are more benefits to non-smoking laws. I assure you that there are many counterarguments to this point, such as the personal pursuit of what makes you happy; legal paternalism makes choices for people, as if their safety is more important than wellbeing.

How is smoking equivalent to industrial and vehicular smog? Don't bullsh1t yourselves: vehicles create smog because we need them to get ourselves places. Power plants create smog so you can power your stoves and housing necessities.

After all that's been said: some, SOME, smokers are just too goddamn selfish and you try to justify your entitlement of smokes by attempting to put it on par with materials that clearly create social benefits.

[Doug]

No wonder there are no posts in the reefing forum. Everyones in here. :lol:

[Aquattro]

No wonder there are no posts in the reefing forum. Everyones in here. :lol:


And just so we're clear, this is a non-smoking thread....:)

[Parker]

And just so we're clear, this is a non-smoking thread....:)


Feel free to pee though.....

[Beverly]

Wait a minute.....










Speaking of peeing.......











Ah, there! Relief found in the bathroom. We have rules in our house about not peeing just anywhere, ya know!

[banditpowdercoat]

WOW, About time I started a thread that went more than 3 replies LMAO

[Doug]

And just so we're clear, this is a non-smoking thread....:)


Ok. I dont smoke. :lol:



and regardless if I agree or disagree with the places smoking is banned or not, it is. :lol: And I would guess its the choice of a greater percent of the population, so if I never agreed, I could stand out there with my sign, protesting and peeing on the sidewalk, and still get nowhere. :lol:

[banditpowdercoat]

If Beverly can Pee here, can I Drink???

[Aquattro]

If Beverly can Pee here, can I Drink???


No, it's a rule. Not my rule, the government made it

[banditpowdercoat]

No, it's a rule. Not my rule, the government made it

Thats it, I'm Defecting...:razz:

She can Pee, but you cant smoke and I cant drink. Canada, Equality for all LMAO

[Beverly]

If Beverly can Pee here, can I Drink???

Actually, I didn't pee here. I peed in the toilet in my upstairs bathroom which is two floors above my computer desk :)

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Actually, I didn't pee here. I peed in the toilet in my upstairs bathroom which is two floors above my computer desk :)


OK, too much information Beverly.

[dsaundry]

I'm not disagreeing with your statement at all. Of course if I'm losing business due to complaints I'll change things. My business is my livelihood. The point is: It should be MY decision!
2 years ago WCB legislated smoking rooms in bars. So I built one. A large room with excellent ventilation to the roof. Smokers had their own space; non-smokers had theirs. (Employees did not have to enter the room). No complaints. Everyone happy. Now that the smokers are forced outside, the non-smokers are complaining having to walk around them to enter or exit the building. I can't stop people from smoking on the street; it's not my property. So what do I have now? Now I have unhappy smokers and unhappy non-smokers. If the smoking room is set up properly, I see absolutely nothing wrong with providing one.
Anyhow, I've said my piece. I'll leave it at that, and we'll just agree to disagree.


I understand your frustration, I personally thought the so called smoking rooms were a joke in most cases. Didn't cover up much at all. It was IMO a joke that WCB tried to impose this rule on a lot of companies. The smoking rooms/area's didnt work in most cases anyway. I do understand when you spend 10k or more on ventilation etc for a room you can no longer use how pi**ed off you would be. Agree to disagree...Sure. IMO they should have just banned it entirely in workplaces a few years ago. I will also point out that in California and several other states they banned smoking in the workplce outright...Griping..sure but down the road people adjusted fine...